Divine Appeal Reflection - 149
Today, consider in Divine Appeal 149: "My ministers are worriless and tranquil. They do not defend Me. Instead they step on Me and allow everything. My arm falls inexorably. Many of them do not believe My words."
Priests, by virtue of their ordination, are uniquely configured to Christ the High Priest through the sacrament of Holy Orders. This sacred calling is not a mere function but a profound participation in the redemptive mission of Our Adorable Jesus. Priests who act in persona Christi must be watchful shepherds who are tasked with guarding the faithful against the wolves of sin and error (cf. John 10:12-13). Priests are modeled after the Good Shepherd, who selflessly sacrifices Himself for the sheep. Their purpose requires a steadfast dedication to holiness and truth, even at the cost of one's own life. Because of their divine calling, they have the grave duty of leading, sanctifying, and instructing the flock, actively modeling Christ's love and faithfulness in their lives.
In Divine Appeal 149, Our Adorable Jesus mourns the negligence of some of His ministers, who fail to defend His Sacred Presence and teachings. This failure manifests not only in their silence but also in their actions that dishonor His mission. Such indifference deeply wounds the heart of Our Adorable Jesus, who entrusted His priests with safeguarding His flock. The scandal caused by neglectful priests reverberates throughout the Church, leaving the faithful vulnerable in a world overwhelmed by spiritual and moral confusion. The priestly vocation calls for vigilance and a fervent defense of Christ, and when this sacred duty is ignored, the resulting harm strikes at the very heart of the Mystical Body of Christ.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that priests are conformed to Christ “so that they can act in His person” (CCC 1548). This conformity demands fidelity to Christ’s own mission and example. Priests must embody His faithfulness, enthusiasm, and commitment to Truth. Any compromise, indifference, or complacency undermines the sacred trust bestowed upon them and weakens the priesthood itself.Consecrated souls are also called to live as luminous witnesses to God's Kingdom by their vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. They provide a spiritual shield against the demonic powers that threaten the Church through their lives of sacrifice and prayer. When consecrated souls fail to embrace their call to perfection (cf. Matthew 5:48), their neglect allows darkness to obscure the light of Christ, leaving countless souls susceptible to spiritual ruin.
Our Adorable Jesus warns against the grave danger of complacency, describing some of His ministers as “worriless and tranquil.” This indifference permits moral decay and spiritual apathy to infiltrate His Church, betraying the sacred mission entrusted to priests and consecrated souls. Such negligence reflects a failure to grasp the reality of spiritual warfare, where every soul is a battlefield. To overcome this danger, priests and consecrated souls must renew their dedication to prayer, penance, and unwavering love for Our Adorable Jesus, especially in the Eucharist. This deep interior renewal will empower them to radiate Christ’s light in a world desperate for hope and truth. Divine Appeal 149 is a clarion call to repentance and spiritual revival, urging priests and consecrated souls to rise to the heights of their vocation, boldly defending Christ’s Sacred Presence and guiding the faithful to His eternal embrace.
Prayer
O Adorable Jesus, grant Your priests and consecrated souls the grace to defend Your Sacred Presence with courage and fidelity. Strengthen them in holiness, zeal for souls, and unwavering commitment to Truth. May their lives radiate Your light, guiding the faithful and bringing glory to You in all they do.
Sr. Anna Ali of the Most Holy Eucharist, intercede for us.
No comments:
Post a Comment